Noting that the eyes and minds of millions of people over the world were directed to Sharm El-Sheikh to follow the work and outcomes of the UN summit on climate change, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi yesterday called for rapid, effective and equitable implementation of the goals of the Paris Agreement.
In a keynote address to the inaugural high-level session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) that kick-started in Sharm El-Sheikh on Sunday, November 6, President Sisi said that the event’s aspired results would contribute to the transformation of millions of people’s destinies for the better and the creation of a clean and sustainable environment.
Welcoming the delegates and attendees, President Sisi emphasized that Egypt is pleased to host COP27 on its land and is interested in working with all delegates and participants to reinforce the values of co-operation and joint action in various fields.
President Sisi hailed the high-level participation in the work of the conference as a confirmation of the attention world leaders accord to climate change action. “I hope (such attention) will reflect on the alignment of your countries’ positions with the title of the summit: Implementation,” the president said.
The Egyptian leader expressed confidence that the conference would reach answers to those questions, and would respond to the concerns of the millions around the globe who are now, more than ever, suffering from climate disasters, whose pace is accelerating and intensity is increasing, in an unprecedented manner, day by day, all over our planet.
President Sisi noted that there is reason to make us hold on to hope in humanity’s ability to make a better future for generations to come despite all the challenges that we have faced and still face and also despite all the factors that cast shadow on our ability to reach the Paris Agreement goals and to protect our planet from a future in which temperature increase reaches 2.5° C and 3° C.
Presenting Egypt’s own experience, President Sisi referred to the National Strategy to Address Climate Change, adding: “We are working diligently to accelerate the pace of green transformation by expanding reliance on renewable energy and clean transport. We have taken concrete steps towards the structural transformation of bills, legislation and government working mechanisms so as to contribute to the promotion of green investments.”
Regarding developing countries especially in Africa, President said it is necessary for these countries to feel that their priorities are addressed and taken into consideration.
Source: The Egyptian Gazette
